“Share the life of Jesus.” (Romans 14:19 MSG)
This week I heard a story I never expected to hear. I was talking with a sweet Christian friend who mentioned a mutual acquaintance I knew from about ten years ago. She and her family had moved out of our area – out of my circle – and I didn’t know what had happened to them. But my friend (“Heather”) had stayed in touch with the other gal (“Kristi”) over the years.
When I knew her, “Kristi” was married and a young mom. She was opposed to teaching her children anything about religion, much less what it means to have a relationship with God. Over the years “Heather” had talked with Kristi as a friend, but never tried to push her into faith. However, God was using Heather and others that he put in Kristi’s life to minister to her and to gently and lovingly invite Kristi into relationship with him. Heather told me that once Kristi had asked – angrily! – where she should start to read the Bible!! From there, God had given Heather opportunities to stay in conversation with Kristi and answer her questions. Fast forward to now and Kristi and her kids have not only come to faith, but are recently baptized! They are attending church regularly and the Spirit of the Lord is on their lives.
As Heather told her story, I was amazed at her gentle patience and love for Kristi and her family. As Kristi’s family moved around the country, added kids, subtracted a drug-addicted husband, and added a godly husband, Heather’s wisdom and counsel helped this family to take those baby steps toward life with Christ. Ten years ago Heather never knew when or if Kristi would come to faith. Yet, God gave her grace to love on this young mom and, eventually, the Lord worked it out.
God,
Today, I come to you grateful that you can work all things out for good, even when we can’t see how that could happen. We thank you for the many ways in which you are gently and lovingly calling those you love into deeper awareness and relationship with you. Thank you for stories like that of Kristi’s radical faith transformation. We pray that she and her family will continue to grow in the knowlege of the love of God. May we be aware of those around us who need to know God’s love, grace, mercy, and compassion through us. May we speak Truth, Love, and Hope into their lives, even when we can’t see whether the seeds we plant will ever come to fruition. May we have patience, wisdom, and grace. Now to you who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us, to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)